MEET THE BOARDING TEAM

Michael Williams came to Boys’ Latin three years ago as our first director of boarding. Not only did Michael welcome and mentor the first-ever boarding class, but he also played an integral role in the creation of the program.  

Michael earned his undergraduate degree from Syracuse University and went on to obtain an M.A. in teaching from Wesley College in Dover, DE, and a Masters of Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.  Having spent the better part of his career in independent schools, Michael came to us with extensive school and boarding experience. Michael worked at both Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh, PA, and Millbrook School in Millbrook, NY, where he taught history, coached lacrosse, worked as a college counselor and served as a dorm parent. 

Michael, who originally hails from Gambrills, MD, was thrilled to return to Maryland and join the Laker Community.  Michael, his wife Emily and his two young sons, Mac and Beau, reside in the dorm and are great additions to the Boys’ Latin family. Michael regularly communicates with the  families of our boarding students and has fostered an environment of trust and mutual respect among the boarders. His favorite part of the job is his relationship with the students; he knows each and every boy and values the unique gifts and talents they bring to the boarding community.

William E. Ryan, Jr. is not only the director of security and operations for Boys’ Latin but also serves as a dorm parent for our boarding students.  Responsibility for the safety and security of the Boys’ Latin community is a task that Bill happily takes on seven days a week, 24 hours a day, and the entire community is the beneficiary of his vast experience and dedication. 

Bill began his career in law enforcement as a petty officer in the United States Coast Guard assigned to law enforcement operations. Prior to joining Boys’ Latin, he spent over 35 years with the Baltimore County Police Department as a detective and senior investigator. A highly decorated officer, he also served as a member of the Hostage Negotiation Team.

Bill also is an experienced safety and security expert with experience in governmental Operations and industrial and educational settings. He is no stranger to independent schools, having served as event security manager for a number of schools, including Boys’ Latin, Park School and Roland Park Country School, and as security director for MIAA sports events.

Bill and his wife, Lori, live in the dorm and are actively engaged in the daily lives of the students.  They value the deep relationships they have formed with the boarding students. There is no doubt that our boarding students and the entire BL community are in good hands.

Pen Vineyard joined Boys’ Latin in the fall of 2021 and currently serves as the head of our middle school. Pen is a veteran of boys’ schools and an active member of the International Boys’ School Coalition (IBSC). He believes strongly in the power of all-boys education.

Prior to coming to Boys’ Latin, Pen worked for eight years at Fairfield Country Day, a K – 9 boys’ school in Connecticut, where he taught Spanish, coached, served as an advisor and took on the role of dean of students.  He has his B.A. in music from Dartmouth College and his M.A. in Private School Leadership from Columbia University. Pen also has experience as a summer camp administrator and firmly believes in the life-changing opportunities provided through residential life experiences to build enduring personal relationships.

Pen relishes the less structured time with boarding students, especially the many highly competitive ping-pong matches.  Pen and his wife, Anna, live on campus and can frequently be seen walking the grounds with their dog, Pintxo.

A long-time member of the Boys’ Latin community, we were thrilled to welcome Jenn McDonald as an official member of our boarding team. 

Jenn, who joined the Boys’ Latin finance department in 1991, brings a wealth of BL experience to this position. Throughout her time on Lake Avenue, she has consistently gone beyond her traditional job responsibilities. She has chaperoned three upper school summer service trips to Puerto Rico, attended Model UN conferences, accompanied upper school boys on the New Orleans community service trip after Hurricane Katrina, and has chaperoned numerous boarding weekend trips and activities. Jenn is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park with degrees in both marketing and accounting.  

Jenn and her husband, Mac, will be living in the residential life facility beginning in August 2022.  Mac, upper school dean of students, serves as an administrator on duty.  Jenn is excited to contribute to building the program and fostering a sense of community and personal development with the boys. 

A veteran teacher, Eric Whitehair joined the Boys’ Latin community in 2007 when he accepted a position as a history teacher in the upper school. 

Eric received his B.A. from McDaniel College (then Western Maryland College) in Religious Studies and his M.A. in Teaching Social Studies from Johns Hopkins University. Eric is an ordained deacon with a passion for world religions, a course he teaches in the upper school. He is also the faculty sponsor of the Jewish Awareness Club, serves as an advisor and attends senior retreats. 

Outside of Boys’ Latin, Eric is the guitarist and vocalist in a local folk trio and even hosted an impromptu concert for the boarding students. Over the years, Eric has developed meaningful relationships with too many boys to count and is focused on forging those relationships with boarding students each and every day.